The Alex Kraemer Program

The Alex Kraemer Program RSS

Andrea Wetherald is an Improvisor and the owner of her own business And Beyond. And Beyond helps companies create healthier and more efficient work environments. Andrea talks to me about her journey into creating the company. She talks about growing up in a more conservative leaning Mennonite family and how her worldview changed in the last ten years, going to college and finding out all these things she never knew about. She tells me about the many jobs she had, like the tech company she tried to get off the ground. She then dives into where she was in her life and the conversations she had with people who were stuck in their jobs which led her to commit and make And Beyond happen. Andrea was such a delight to talk to. If you want to know more about And Beyond and sign up for classes or take a worship visit https://www.andbeyondimprov.com

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Vanessa is an Actress/Improvisor living in Pittsburgh. She tells me about growing up wanting to be a performer, how she went to a performing arts high school and got cast in all the comedic roles. She also talks to me about her love of Elvis, where she works, and the recent acting job she has now being in the play Of Mice and Men. Vanessa also tells me how an experience with a shitty guy really put things into perspective, while forming how she thinks today. I think Vanessa is very wise beyond her years. When I was her age I wasn't even close to thinking how she does. A great talk that you will enjoy.

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 Jason Newsom is an actor and Improvisor living here in Pittsburgh. He's also one of the nicest people I've ever met. Jason talks to me about growing up as a preachers kid, and how he always knew he was gay. He also talks about moving from Kentucky to Pittsburgh, and how Kentucky will always feel like home. Then, we talk all about moving to Chicago and falling in love with Sketch and Improv and how that led him into becoming a big part of the improv scene here. We also dive into us both being single, our own anxieties, and not worrying as much. Loved talking to Jason. Great talk. Enjoy.

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 Hazel Leroy is an actress and theater teacher living in Pittsburgh. Hazel has been in theater for almost her whole life and we talk about it all! She tells about how her life was growing up with a Dad in The service. Also, she talks to me about how she got her start in acting, her sons life as a musician and their relationship, and she even talks about those times before she was sober. Of course, we make time to talk about our anxiety! Hazel was lovely to talk to, could've talked more honestly. Great talk. Enjoy

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 Sara Kantner is an improvisor living in Pittsburgh. I always thought Sara was a great improvisor, so I invited her on to chat a bit. We talk about movies we really liked growing up and why they still hold up, why she loved Rosie O'donnell, and how dumb humor is way fun to watch. Sara and I also took time to talk about our anxiety and the moments we most get in our head. I had a great time getting to know Sara a bit. Really cool person and fun chat. Enjoy!

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Matt Grant is an Improvisor living in Pittsburgh who's also my friend! Matt and I talk about working in restaurants and the famous people he has met there. We also talk about disgraced comedians in the news. But the main subject in this episode, like a lot of them is anxiety and depression. We talk about how we're trying to better ourselves, and what's it like for us everyday. Matt also opens up about his bipolar disorder and what he worries about with it. We also dive into a recent thing that happened to Matt in Improv which also connects to the anxiety, depression, and just how he's been feeling lately. We also squeeze some time to talk about music. I always love talking to Matt. Very heartfelt and silly discussion. Great talk. Enjoy

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Andy Phillips is an Improvisor who just moved back to Pittsburgh after living in LA for two years. Andy and I talk about a lot and go on a couple tangents in the process. I talk to Andy about what I thought of him when I started Improv and why I was nervous to talk to him. We also discuss his thoughts on Improv, the many restaurants he's worked in at Pittsburgh and LA, our anxiety and how reading is tough for us. Andy also dives into some of the hard times he had in LA that finally caused him to move back to his hometown. We talk about what he’s into now and his future plans. We also dive into some wacky/cool ideas on Charlie Brown and Catcher in The Rye. This is the wackiest episode I've recorded so far, which also has a lot of down to earth moments. It was such a great time talking to Andy, loved every minute of it. Great talk. Enjoy

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Mary Parker is an Improvisor, stand-up, and another High Scores (our musical improv team) alum of mine living in Pittsburgh. We got a chance to talk before she make her big move to London, England to attend grad school. We talk about our times on the high scores and I thought she didn’t like me, and she thought that I didn’t like her. We talk about her growing up in Atlanta and the many different places she’s called home. Then we got into some deep thoughts about public transportation, the difficulty of making friends in your 30s, working for non profits, and being on the board of directors for Arcade Comedy Theater. We talk about race and misogynistic problems in this country and how she thinks there's hope for America. It was awesome talking to Mary and I wish her the best in London. Great talk. Enjoy!

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 I was on a musical improv team with Olivia for six months when I started doing Improv, but I was so shy I didn't really talk that much. We actually talk about some moments from our times in High Scores together. We also dive into a numerous amount of different topics in this talk. We discuss mental health, having trust issues and anxiety, performers we love in the comedy community, we open up about past failed relationships, breakfast, how to not get in your head, and so much more. I was so happy to finally talk to Olivia before she moves. She is so much fun to talk to. really great talk. Enjoy!!

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Ben Amiri Is a Improvisor from Pittsburgh and a very busy at that. He is on three teams that perform all around the city, Well Known Strangers, Change Machine. and Irony City. We talk about where Ben grew up and how he got his job with Nuclear equipment. We also talk about how he got into Improv and why he's still doing it. But I also get to know Ben the human being. We talk about how he's comfortable with how he is and not caring what everyone in any community thinks of you and not letting it get to your head. I got to know Ben a little bit, but there's still so much I want to know. He dropped a lot of truths that left me speechless. Loved talking to him and getting to know him more. Fun and Interesting talk. Enjoy